Pie, Oh My: The Most Amazing National Pie Day Celebration Ever

Did you know that January 23rd was National Pie Day?

Now, some may argue that the day to celebrate pie ought to be March 14th.

Unfortunately, these math nerds missed out on the cool-kid party we attended last Friday: a no-holds barred, absolute pie love-in, the likes of which we'd never seen.

It was held at the Salmon Bay Eagles Hall in Ballard, Seattle; while the sign said FOE, the sandwich board definitely let on that PIE meant FRIEND.


Inside, a veritable pie nirvana awaited, including music ("American Pie", anyone?) by our new favorite band the Fillings; EAT PIE t-shirts (designed by Christine Larsen); ginormous glowing pie sculptures; a projector screening various pie imagery, and of course, a delightful table of raffle prizes (including Cakespy artwork!).

The organizer, Mary, and her team (the À la mode girls) all wore the cutest pie-themed headpieces and dresses. (pictured: Head Spy Jessie with Mary)

But of course, truly, the Pièce de résistance was the pie buffet: a series of tables set together in a line, it must have been over 30-ish feet long, with every type of pie you could ever dream of, both sweet and savory. We ogled over and sampled sweet varieties such as coconut cream, lemon chess, blueberry, marionberry, bourbon pecan, and more; even though we don't usually foray into savories, the Veggie Frito pie does deserve at least a mention. In a stroke of what can only be described as sheer brilliance, a large tub of vanilla ice cream (donated by Molly Moon) was positioned at the end of the line, a sweet gesture for those who preferred their pie à la mode; nearby, a station with milk and coffee offered accompaniments, but of course the cool and over 21 crowd could go to the adjoining bar area.

Of course, even sweeter than the pie was the mission: proceeds from raffle ticket sales went toward The Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research. 

Seriously, words cannot really convey the true awesomeness of this Pie Day event.

In honor of the day, here is the offering that Head Spy Jessie made to the Pie Buffet: Cup-pies so dense and delicious, they'll knock your socks off (or rot your teeth out, either/or). Though the white chocolate version is shown, we brought the dark chocolate variety to the party.

White or Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup-pies

Crust (to be blind-baked before filling), recipe adapted from Taste of Home:

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 4 to 5 tablespoons cold water

Preheat oven to 450. In a bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Roll out to desired thickness (maybe slightly thinner than you would for a regular-sized pie) on a floured surface; either cut with a biscuit cutter or round cookie cutter (or just eyeball it and cut with a knife, you can shape it later) to about 2.5 inches across; press into cupcake cups and with fingers, shape to fit (I found this works best with silicone cupcake cups, which are sturdier than paper variations). This amount will make anywhere from 8-12 cup-pies, depending on how thick you like the crust. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until slightly browned on the edges.

Filling (not baked), adapted from Diana's Desserts:

• 8 ounces dark chocolate chocolate, coarsely chopped 

OR

• 8 ounces white chocolate couverture, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream 
• 2 heaping tablespoons peanut butter (I used Peanut Butter and Co.'s White Chocolate Wonderful)

Microwave chocolate and whipping cream in medium bowl on HIGH for 2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring every minute. Beat with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Add the 2 tbsp. of peanut butter; mix well. Spoon into prebaked (already cooled) shells. Refrigerate let cool; refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.

Note: You may have extra filling, depending on how thick your crusts are. If so, it's...um...delicious by the spoonful.

For more info on all things pie, visit piecouncil.org, or to get in on the argument over holiday's date, visit The Stranger. Though it's not been active for some time, the Mini Pie Revolution has a lot of cute ideas too.

Comments

[Cakespy]

Caked Crusader: Tell me about it, my new fave holiday!

Momza: Me too! Pie 4-eva!

Zesty: Thank you so much for saying hi--and lovin' on the pie!

Gastroanthropologist: What a wonderful thought! Everyday should be sweet!

[Lilly Lynn Events]

You have been nominated!!!!

http://lillylynnevents.blogspot.com/

Love your blog! Kim

[Cynthia]

Look at that pure pie pleasure on your smiling face :)

[Abbie]

What a delicious sounding/looking mini pie. Thanks for sharing the recipe. That crust looks amazingly flaky :)

[Cheryl Wray]

Wow!! This looks fantastic!

I love pie, but bake it much less often than cake and other sweets. I think I will have to bake one now, though!

I missed Pie Day, but I think I will celebrate Pi Day instead (with pie, of course!).

The pictures are awesome,as always!

[chuckwho]

OK, I've lost 10 pounds so far and I think I just gained 5 looking at those pies. Yummy!!!

[Jaimee]

I wasn't aware there was a National Pie Day. I'll be sure to celebrate next year by eating as much pie as physically possible!

[Soapylove]

OMG - this looks too awesome! I love the pie art installation!

In honor of the day, you should have changed your name to "Cakes-Pie!" :)

[RecipeGirl]

What an awesome event! Love the outfits too :)

[J.Danger]

AHHHHHHHH! I wish I knew. Seriously, I have just been looking for a reason to go out dressed in pie themes. I mean come on?! A pie head dress?! HEAVEN.

[Melisser; the Urban Housewife]

I love the giant pie sculpture!

[Clumbsy Cookie]

And now after this, I really need a good slice of pie!

[Bakerella]

Me… jealous. I want pie.

[The Peanut Butter Boy]

Man, I forgot about pie day! I knew it was coming and forgot! That sounds absolutely incredible, I want to go to a pie day celebration next year!

[The Duo Dishes]

Pies, pies, pies! How can there be so many lovely pies! Delish.

[Joie de vivre]

That is the coolest party! You are a cool kid! I must be a 3.14 nerd...:(

[pastry studio]

Oh. Mah. Gawd. PIE! Everywhere! Genius.

[lyndsay]

crap. why can't pie be as national in canada as it is in america? we like pie here but it's not as much as a cultural and gastronomical icon here as it is in the US. yay pie!!! xo

[thereddeer]

Again why can't Adelaide, Australia have the same love for pies as America :(. Nearly all of our pies are savoury - it just isn't the same.

I can always dream.

[chou]

It is a painful demonstration of the business of grad school that I didn't get to play on pie day this year. At least 3.14 is still coming up. :)

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